The Boston Celtics delivered a stunning performance at TD Garden on Tuesday night, ending the Cleveland Cavaliers’ perfect start to the NBA season with a hard-fought 120-117 victory. In a matchup brimming with playoff intensity, the Celtics showcased their championship-caliber mettle, while the Cavaliers, despite the loss, demonstrated why they remain a rising force in the Eastern Conference.
A Test for the Cavaliers
The Cavaliers entered the game with an unblemished 15-0 record, marking their best-ever start to a season. Coach Kenny Atkinson, however, downplayed the stakes ahead of the contest, labeling it as a crucial opportunity to assess his team’s growth.
“We want feedback,” Atkinson said before the game. “Hopefully, we’ll see this team again down the road in a meaningful game. It’s more about understanding where we are.”
Despite the coach’s measured approach, the atmosphere at TD Garden was electric, with the Celtics eager to defend their home court against the league’s hottest team.
Celtics Dominate the First Half
Boston wasted no time asserting their dominance, relying on impeccable three-point shooting to build a commanding lead. The Celtics connected on a scorching 14 of 22 three-point attempts in the first half, their best shooting performance in a half in over two decades. Jayson Tatum led the charge with 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists, reminding everyone why he remains one of the league’s premier players.
CELTICS HAVE 14 THREES AT THE HALF VS. CAVS
They’re up 65-48 at the half pic.twitter.com/7bobNF6ti0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 20, 2024
By halftime, Boston had built a 21-point cushion, exploiting Cleveland’s defensive lapses while neutralizing their interior advantage. The Cavaliers struggled to keep pace, with only occasional flashes of brilliance from forward Evan Mobley and guard Donovan Mitchell keeping them within striking distance.
Cleveland’s Second-Half Resurgence
Determined not to go down without a fight, Cleveland emerged from the locker room with renewed vigor. The Cavaliers dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics with relentless drives to the basket and a commanding presence in the paint. Mobley, who finished the game with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, led the charge, repeatedly exploiting mismatches to punish Boston’s interior defense.
Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers’ scoring leader, added 35 points and 8 rebounds. His relentless energy and leadership were instrumental in helping Cleveland cut the deficit to just two points in the fourth quarter, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Boston Holds On
Despite Cleveland’s furious rally, the Celtics displayed composure in the game’s closing moments. Jaylen Brown and Tatum made clutch plays down the stretch, ensuring that Boston maintained their narrow lead. Derrick White and Al Horford also contributed key defensive stops, preventing Cleveland from completing the comeback.
Coach Joe Mazzulla praised his team’s resilience, particularly their ability to adapt to Cleveland’s physical style of play. “We handled the pressure well,” Mazzulla said postgame. “Our spacing and decision-making were key, and I’m proud of how our guys executed under tough conditions.”
TUESDAY’S #EmiratesNBACup FINAL SCORES
Jayson Tatum and the @celtics knock down 22 threes as they move to 12-3 and 1-1 in East Group C play!
Al Horford: 20 PTS, 4 3PM, 7 REB, 3 BLK
Derrick White: 19 PTS, 4 3PM, 6 REB, 5 AST
Jaylen Brown: 17 PTS, 8 AST pic.twitter.com/BqZ7b7FA0U— NBA (@NBA) November 20, 2024
The Cavaliers had a final chance to tie the game, but a missed three-pointer in the waning seconds sealed their fate, handing Boston a crucial win in this early-season battle of Eastern Conference heavyweights.
Contrasting Styles of Play
Tuesday’s game highlighted the contrasting styles that define these two teams. The Celtics relied on their perimeter shooting, outscoring the Cavaliers by 36 points from beyond the arc. Boston’s ability to stretch the floor with multiple shooters proved decisive, especially during their first-half blitz.
Cleveland, on the other hand, leaned on their size and interior dominance. The Cavaliers outscored the Celtics 60-36 in the paint and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, showcasing their ability to control the game near the rim. This inside-out approach kept them competitive, even as Boston rained down threes.
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Implications for the Season
For the Celtics, the victory reaffirmed their status as one of the league’s elite teams. With a 12-3 record, Boston continues to demonstrate the depth, versatility, and composure that propelled them to last year’s NBA title. Tatum’s leadership and the team’s balanced scoring attack will remain critical as they navigate a competitive Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers, despite the loss, emerged with valuable insights. Their ability to challenge the defending champions, even in defeat, underscored their growth and potential. With a 15-1 record, Cleveland remains a top contender in the East, and this game provided a roadmap for areas of improvement as they eye a deeper playoff run.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will now shift their focus to the upcoming NBA Cup games, where Boston will look to build on this momentum while Cleveland aims to rebound and regain their winning form. For fans, Tuesday’s matchup offered a tantalizing preview of a possible playoff series, with both teams showcasing their strengths in a high-stakes environment.
As the season progresses, the Eastern Conference race promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, and the Celtics and Cavaliers appear poised to be key players in that battle. Tuesday’s showdown was just the beginning of what could be a season-defining rivalry.
